Source: Texas A&M targeting Arkansas' Travis Williams for LB coach
After losing defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Jay Bateman to Kentucky late last week, Texas A&M was left with an opening at the linebackers position following the decision to promote secondary assistant and former JMU defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill to that role in College Station.
Over the past few days, Mike Elko has worked aggressively to secure his preferred candidate, and we’re hearing he’s on track to land his top target as the Aggies’ next linebackers coach.
Sources tell AggieYell that Texas A&M is nearing an agreement with former Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams to become the Aggies’ next linebackers coach.
Williams spent the last few seasons as Arkansas’ defensive coordinator before being dismissed by Bobby Petrino upon his appointment as interim head coach. Prior to that, he served as a defensive coordinator at both Auburn and UCF. A two-time second-team All-SEC linebacker at Auburn, Williams also enjoyed a seven-year career in the NFL.
In speaking with those who’ve coached alongside Williams, he’s widely regarded as an elite recruiter and a strong developer at the position. With play-calling responsibilities no longer on his plate, he’s expected to play a major role in turning the position from a weakness into a strength. He also brings a high level of energy and chemistry — traits the staff had been looking to add more of.
At Arkansas, Williams landed Xavian Sorey from Georgia and Stephen Dix from Marshall, both of whom quickly emerged as two of the SEC’s top linebackers.
